Contiki Reviews 143

I recently went on one of Contiki's tours along the East Coast of Australia and would advise anyone thinking of doing the same to avoid them at all costs.

You pay so much for these tours only to find that almost all the activities are "add ons" and you have to pay extra for them. Also that almost none of the meals are included.

You could do the exact same itinerary for a fraction of the cost doing it without them.

In addition to this, one of the things I was looking forward to most about the trip was the two day sailing experience round the Whitsundays. However the day before the trip started we were told that this part of the trip had been cancelled which as you can imagine was a disappointment.

Subsequently on the first day of the trip our tour manager reassured us that the alternative Contiki had put in place for us would not only be as good as the two day sailing experience but in fact it was better. As a result, even though we were not offered the option for a refund, I was more than happy to go ahead with this alternative which was two separate day trips.

Unfortunately however the two day trips we were booked didn’t live up to the expectations laid out by Contiki and certainly weren’t able to match the £283 sailing experience round the Whitsundays that I had paid for. On the first day the Red Thunder Cat boat we had was not very pleasant. The included food for the day consisted of a small brownie square, a cold ham/corned beef sandwich with some basic salad and no drink. One of the girls on the trip was gluten intolerant and so couldn’t really eat anything as they didn’t tailor to dietary requirements. We also were back at Airlie beach by 4:30pm and so saw far less of the Whitsundays than had we been on the 2 day sailing trip. The second day was a slightly nicer boat but again, not on the same level as had we been on the original 2 day sailing experience.

Furthermore, not only were the day trips not as high quality as the sailing that I had paid £283 for, but the group who had not paid for the sailing option had a far nicer boat for their day trip (an ex-racing yacht), they had all their food and drinks included (including unlimited alcohol), the food was tailored to dietary requirements and was also extremely high quality (having been prepared by a Michelin star level chef). This group also did the exact same stops as us, the only difference being they got an hour longer out on the boat.

If Contiki had just been honest from the start about the alternative they had booked for us and done the right thing by offering us the choice between that or getting our money refunded then it would have been fine and I would not feel the need to write this review.

Their customer service is also utterly shocking and after the trip I later asked for a refund for this ordeal. I got a reply almost 2 months later saying that they are refusing to refund me and insultingly offered a 5% discount on my next trip. As if I'd do that.

I feel like we were completely misled and given an overall experience far below what we had paid for so I feel obliged to let others know who are considering going on one of their tours.

I recently did a Fire and Ice Tour with Contiki in Iceland and it was absolutely incredible. Each day was better than the next and the scenes were spectacular. The knowledge of our guide Cayce was amazing and there were so many breathtaking stops along the way - from waterfalls to glaciers and black sand beaches. Most of the experiences were included on this trip which I liked with just 3 FTAs to add to your experience. Couldn't recommend it enough!

Everything was brilliant from start to finish - a hassle free holiday with everything taken care of, and sharing in the most incredible experiences with new friends for a lifetime. Booking a trip with Contiki is a must do

The Iceland Tour was amazing! Literally chasing waterfalls with your new friends from all over the work!

I booked the Best of Balkan start Split tour super last minute and it ended up being the best decision.

The itinerary is amazing, with plenty of activities but also free time to relax.

But the highlight for sure were the friends I made on the tour. Even though we are literally spread around the globe, we are still in touch and hosting reunions a year on.

I ended up booking another and starting that only days after I finished this one.

Contiki was incredible, their efforts to uplift communities and contribute to conservation efforts really made my trip that much better!.

I had an amazing experience doing the Cape, Safari, and Falls Adventure (Southern African Safari)

I recently returned from an unforgettable journey that took me from the vibrant streets of Cape Town to the wild landscapes of a safari, culminating in the breathtaking views of majestic falls. Cape Town greeted me with its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The iconic Table Mountain provided a dramatic backdrop for the city, and I was fortunate enough to take the cable car up for panoramic views. The V&A Waterfront was a lively hub of shops, restaurants, and entertainment, perfect for leisurely strolls and delicious seafood. I also explored the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood, rich with history and vibrant architecture.

We then embarked on a safari adventure that was truly exhilarating. Watching wildlife in their natural habitat was awe-inspiring. The thrill of spotting the Big Five and learning about the ecosystem from Jesse knowledgeable guides added depth to the experience. The sunsets over the savannah were nothing short of magical, casting a warm glow over the landscape.

Finally, the journey led me to the magnificent falls, which left me speechless. The sheer power and beauty of the cascading water were breathtaking. Whether viewing from the lookout points or taking a guided tour that brought me closer to the action, the experience was invigorating. I even had the chance to take part in some activities like a boat ride near the falls, which offered a unique perspective and a splash of adventure.

This trip was a perfect blend of urban exploration, wildlife adventure, and natural wonder. Each destination offered its own unique charm, making it a well-rounded experience. I highly recommend this itinerary to anyone looking to explore the diverse beauty and excitement that this part of the world has to offer.

Been to Namibia had great experience, the desert dunes(Big dady)were amazing!The "deadvlei"(the salt pan and trees) seemed so unreal like i was in another planet as well!The Namibian landscape is mind blowing,thanx to Contiki and great TM

I had an amazing experience exploring the best bits of what Southern Africa has to offer in 21 days. From the views overlooking Cape Town on top of Table Mountain to seeing the Big 5 on Safari in Contiki's exclusive camp in Kruger, South Africa started off the trip superbly. Then onto Vic Falls for all the adventure activities of white water rafting, bungee jumping, helicopter rides, safari walks and more. Botswana was completely wild with getting close to meerkats on the salt pans to staying in a private bush camp in the middle of the Okavango Delta with elephants and other wildlife walking right by our camp. Lastly, Namibia topped it all off with incredible desert scenery, culture and the best experience of all - the seal kayaking in Walvis Bay with Etosha our last stop and best sighting of Rhino with a baby.

Phenomenal trip with expert Trip Managers guiding and looking after us every step of the way. Cant wait to book Contiki's East Africa Safari next!

Phenomenal experience with Contiki in Egypt. Truly the trip of a lifetime. Our local guide was incredible, kept the days running smoothly, and was a wealth of information. From the minute I arrived at the airport I was taken care of. Would recommend Contiki to everyone!

I recently travelled with Contiki on their Best of Georgia trip and had an amazing time! The trip was well organised and a great mix of culture, history, food, and nature. Our local guide brought lots of great insight into the history and modern topics of Georgia and had great recommendations. The highlight for me was the hikes we went on as the scenery and mountains of Georgia are stunning. The trip had some really cool experiences like dining with a local family and visiting a Georgian winery. Highly recommend!

Went on the European Discovery trip and absolutely loved it. I was a bit nervous about travelling solo, but made so many friends on the trip. Everyone was so nice! The Trip Manager was very knowledgeable as well!

I went to Kenya with Contiki last year and I can't describe how amazing the whole trip was. There were about 13 of us on the trip, plus our tour guide/driver/legend Haron and another driver called Dennis. Everyone was lovely, Haron was super helpful and did a great job of running the whole trip. He knew all about the wildlife but also told us everything about where to meet, what time etc etc, and was so funny too! The wildlife days were incredible. We saw all of thee 'Big 5' - even saw a pride of lions walking on the road right in front of us!! And a baby rhino!! . The hotel in Nairobi was a paradise and our safari lodges were really cool. We met loads of people as well, a really heartwarming experience in the Kibera slum, a school, and a Maasai village too. All with such a nice group of people - we're all still in a whatsapp group together now too. If you're wanting to do a safari in Africa, honestly, this trip is so so worth it

Contiki is a cult, DO NOT work for them. They treat their upcoming tour managers very substandard. I have voice recordings of them yelling at everyone on ETT the training trip and going on power trips abusing their upcoming staff. They get away with it because you're not technically employed with them...just a contractor.

I visited Georgia with Contiki in June as the first ever departure for this trip and it was so amazing. The destination and the route through the country we took was perfect we saw such a verity of landscapes and experience the country had to offer. The Trip manger couldn't have done anything else she was incredible from being a city guide, hiking guide to giving us such a passionate love for her country it really made the trip worth while with so much added value. It was so good to see a company offer such a unique and underrated destination. I felt safer than most other European trips I've been on to. would recommend to anyone

I went on the European Magic tour last year and it was truly one of the best travel experiences of my life! The itinerary was packed, but got to see a lot of cool destinations that I hadn’t seen before. The trip manager was super knowledgeable and really managed to create a fun and engaging atmosphere throughout the whole trip. Made a few new friends, too, which was great. Highly recommend it!

I absolutely loved my trip! I did the Balkans Experience and got to explore parts of Europe that I wouldn't have thought to go to otherwise and they were gorgeous.

My Trip Manager was a pro, and we actually still chat, and on top of that I made so many new friends that I'm planning on travelling with again!

Can't recommend Contiki more if you want good vibes and hassle free holidays

I went on the garden route and addo trip in South Africa – and it was one of the best holidays of my life.

First: the itinerary and experiences. I can't believe how much we saw and did in 10 days. 2 x safaris + an ocean safari. Wine tasting in Stellenbosch. Visiting the Cango Caves. Kayaking in Plettenburg Bay. Visiting a local township. It was such an amazing variety and all for under 1000 quid.

The accom was lush (balconies overlooking vineyards etc.) But the highlight has to be the Trip Manager, Jesse, who also had the highest safari qualification you can have. His knowledge brought South Africa to life, as he always knew where to spot a rare animal, or respond to the sounds of birdcall, or the name of any plant or star formation.

The group were great fun too. Met people from all around the world! 10/10!

Went on European Magic and had a great time. It's a perfect trip if you have limited PTO and want to check a bunch of destinations off your Europe bucket list. I couldn't believe how much we were able to see in just 9 days (7 countries)! It was also my first experience on a guided tour and as someone who is pretty independent as a traveler, I appreciated the convenience and ease of getting around with a reliable Trip Manager. What a great mental break :)

Worked with a lady named Michelle C during the process of booking our tour.

She was extremely patient as we had to call back multiple times. We had some issues due to the site which were ultimately fixed by her and her team. Fantastic response times and wonderful service, give Michelle C a bloody raise!!